Fast bowler Nathan Gilchrist admits it feels nice to be surrounded by other talented young Kent players - including his house-mate!

Gilchrist extended his deal until the end of next season at the start of the year, shortly after he had earned an England Lions call-up.

Fellow 22-year-old players Hamid Qadri and Tawanda Muyeye have also committed their futures to the county while all-rounder Joey Evison, 21, is now a permanent Kent player after a successful loan stint.

“I think it’s always nice to have people of similar ages around you,” Gilchrist said. “We have quite a big group of young players now, really talented players.

“It’s exciting from a cricket point of view moving forward into the future because, hopefully, us as a young group of players can bring a lot of success to the club.

“I live with Tawanda, as well. So it’s ideal he’s signed a long-term deal, although he does annoy me sometimes!

“But we get along really well and it’s great he’s signed, so I can spend a lot more time with him.”

Gilchrist enjoyed his first experience with the Lions in Sri Lanka and felt the tour helped improve him.

He said: “I definitely left Sri Lanka a better bowler than I was when I first got there.

"That’s exactly what I wanted to do.

“There are lots of people to learn from, everyone around me was very experienced, and I also got used to conditions in Sri Lanka because I’d never been there before.

“The sub-continent is very different from English conditions, especially at this time of year, so it was a very good experience overall.”

• Sky's the limit for Gilchrist

Gilchrist was born in Zimbabwe but didn’t think twice when he got the England call. He hopes to earn a place with the full national side one day.

“I have been committed to English cricket since I’ve been here really,” he noted.

“It’s coming up to seven years now. That’s definitely been a goal to play for England in my career so I guess this is just part of the journey.

“It was really exciting for me when I got that call.

"Hopefully, it’s just a stepping stone to the main England side.”

Gilchrist initially joined Kent on loan from Somerset in 2020 before he made his stay a permanent one.

“Since I arrived in Kent, I feel I’ve been really welcomed,” he said. “It’s gone quickly, really - it’s nearly been three years now.

"But there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to commit my future to Kent, especially after the success the team has had in the last couple of years.

“Hopefully, we can carry that forward into the 2023 season.”

Gilchrist is looking forward to working alongside Indian seam bowler Arshdeep Singh when he arrives this summer.

He said: “It’s really exciting.

"Similar to how I felt with the Lions - just being surrounded with players who have played international cricket and against the best in the world - you can always pick up a few little tips and trips here and there.

“He’s a really exciting bowler. He swings the ball a lot and takes a lot of wickets so, for me, it’s really exciting.

"Hopefully, I can learn a lot from him.”

Gilchrist feels confident in his own game, particularly in the four-day format, and he wants to play a part in Kent’s 2023 T20 Blast campaign alongside Australian paceman Kane Richardson, having missed out on their dismal title defence last campaign through injury.

He said: “I’m at a stage in four-day cricket where I feel very confident in my game.

“Obviously, there’s always things to work on, but a goal for me this year will be T20 cricket.

“I haven’t played many T20s as I was injured last year but, hopefully, I can get some opportunities this year and cement my place.”